Government says no to B-double route

Queensland Government rejects call for a dedicated B-double route through the town of Ravenshoe

September 28, 2009

The Queensland Government has rejected the town of Ravenshoe’s calls to create a designated B-double route through the area because of budget constraints.

Despite a petition signed by 1,129 people saying a dedicated route will improve safety for drivers and vehicles, Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace says the current system is the safest.

"The department has carried out investigations to determine the cost and scope of works involved to upgrade the intersection on the Kennedy Highway and Turnoulin Road," Wallace says.

"There is no funding currently available for this project prioritised against safety improvement works.

"The current B-double route through Ravenshoe, where vehicles travel south along the Kennedy Highway onto the southern end of Tumoulin Road, is approved as the safest."

In their petition, residents describe the current route as "causing increased costs to farmers, traffic through the town" as well as expressing concern transport operators are having difficulty fulfilling their fatigue management requirements due to the route's classification.